"Opening Dish with Bird," pottery by Marianne Cordyack.
Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-778-9416. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Friday/Jan. 27
River North Dance Chicago. 8 p.m. George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Jazz-based contemporary dance ensemble. $21-$42. www.gmu.edu.
Choo! Choo! 11 a.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Stories and activities about trains. Age 2-3 years with adult. 703-249-1520.
Preschool Storytime. 11 a.m. John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Drive, Alexandria. Stories and activities. Age 3-5 with adult. 703-971-0010.
Basic Gardening: Less Lawn is More. 1:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Code 290 182 2401. $10. Basic principles of decreasing turf area and plant selection. Register at www.greenspring.org or 703-642-5173.
"The King and I." 7 p.m. Francis Scott Key Middle School, 6402 Franconia Road, Springfield. The musical classic. $7. 703-313-3939.
Saturday/Jan. 28
Aquila Theatre: Macbeth. 8 p.m. George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. $20-$40. www.gmu.edu.
VITA Tax Assistance. 10 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Tax help. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $50K. Adults. 703-339-4610.
VITA Tax Assistance. 10 a.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Tax help. IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers who earned up to $50K. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Tea Basics Seminar. 9:30 a.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Code 290 182 4301. $45. Learn about different tea types and their origins, cultures and health benefits. See, smell and taste a variety from the four tea groups, black, oolong, green and white, accompanied by ethnic finger foods. www.greenspring.org or 703-642-5173.
"The King and I." 7 p.m. Francis Scott Key Middle School, 6402 Franconia Road, Springfield. The musical classic. $7. 703-313-3939.
Sunday, January 29
Native Plants for Diverse Landscapes. 1:30 p.m. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Code 290 182 4501. $10. Add to your list of potential plants for use in the landscape and rediscover old favorites that deserve continued use with Mt. Cuba’s director, Richard Lewandowski. Register at www.greenspring.org or 703-642-5173.
Dark Funeral. 6 p.m. Jaxx Nightclub, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield. $22-$25. www.jaxxroxx.com.
Monday/Jan. 30
Puppet Theatre Workshop. 2 p.m. Burke Centre Library, 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke. Learn how to improvise with puppets and make a mouse finger puppet to take home. Age 6-12 years. 703-249-1520.
Preschool Storytime. 10:30 a.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Stories, fingerplays and songs. Age 3-5 years with adult. 703-339-4610.
Craft Extravaganza. 2-4 p.m. Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Drop in to use the library's craft supplies to make something unique. No registration required. Age 6 to 12. 703-339-4610.
Tuesday/Jan. 31
English Conversation Group. 7 p.m. Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield. Practice and improve your English. Adults. 703-451-8055.
Fairy Tale Princess Camp Hallabolou. 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Global Music Academy, 5622-F Ox Road, Fairfax Station. For girls age 4-7 years. vboson@hallabolou.com.